Yankees play 'Sweet Caroline' in Boston tribute

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees paid tribute to victims of the Boston Marathon bombings by playing the Fenway Park favorite "Sweet Caroline" at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night.

Kathy Willens

New York Yankees players observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Boston Marathon explosions before a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 16, 2013. In big ways and small, New York is putting aside its heated and historical rivalry with Boston in a show of support after the Boston Marathon explosions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

New York Yankees players observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Boston Marathon explosions before a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 16, 2013. In big ways and small, New York is putting aside its heated and historical rivalry with Boston in a show of support after the Boston Marathon explosions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi, left, catcher Francisco Cervelli, third from left, and others bow their heads during a moment of silence for victims of the Boston Marathon explosions before a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Two fans embrace while singing "Sweet Caroline" as a tribute to the victims of the Boston Marathon explosions after the third inning of a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 16, 2013. The song by Neil Diamond has been a longtime fixture as a fan sing-along during the bottom of the eighth inning of Boston Red Sox games. In big ways and small, New York is putting aside its heated and historical rivalry with Boston in a show of support after the Boston Marathon explosions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

This image provided on Tuesday, April 16, 2013, by the New York Yankees shows a commemorative ribbon to convey New York's solidarity with Boston. The ribbon will be displayed on the Yankee Stadium scoreboard during a moment of silence honoring those who lost their lives or were injured in explosions Monday at the Boston Marathon, prior to their game on Tuesday, April 16. (AP Photo/New York Yankees)

From left, New York Yankees relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain, starting pitchers Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes, CC Sabathia and Andy Pettitte bow their heads during a moment of silence in honor of victims of the Boston Marathon explosions before a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 16, 2013. In big ways and small, New York is putting aside its heated and historical rivalry with Boston in a show of support after the Boston Marathon explosions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

New York Yankees starting pitchers bow their heads during a moment of silence before a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, Tuesday, April 16, 2013. From left, Joba Chamberlain, Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes, CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

A sign that reads "United We Stand" between logos for the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox appears at the top of Yankee Stadium before a baseball game in New York, Tuesday, April 16, 2013. The message was displayed in the wake of the Boston Marathon explosions. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Other teams around the majors did the same. The popular sing-along song has been featured at Boston Red Sox home games since 2002.

The Yankees honored Boston, home of their longtime rivals, by playing the Neil Diamond hit over the public-address system after the third inning against Arizona. Yankees fans sang along, and some people in the crowd wore Red Sox hats and jerseys.

"Thank you NY Yankees for playing 'Sweet Caroline' for the people of Boston," Diamond wrote on his Twitter page. "You scored a home run in my heart. With respect, Neil (hashtag)OneBoston."

A ribbon was shown on the scoreboard displaying the insignia of the Red Sox and Yankees and the words: "New York stands with Boston ... Pray for Boston."

There also was a pregame moment of silence. A message that read "United We Stand" showing the Red Sox and Yankees logos was posted on an electronic board atop the ballpark.

Earlier in the day, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said it was time to "put the baseball teams aside" and recognize "we're all behind the people in Boston."

"Sweet Caroline" also was played at Marlins Park, Dodger Stadium and in Cleveland, where the Red Sox beat the Indians 7-2.

"That was a very classy touch," said Indians skipper Terry Francona, who managed the Red Sox for eight years.

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AP Sports Writers Steven Wine in Miami and Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.